Whats up all,
I’m newbie to the horn game. I’m almost ready to start my install. Just waiting for the horn which will be in on the 4th. Looking for any input from the veterans. Here is what I’m working with.
05 Ford F250XLT, K5LA, duel Viair 480c, 8 gal.
I’m getting rid of the spare tire for the horn. The tank and compressors are going in a new truck box in the bed. I’m seeing a lot about line size but currently from the tank to the solenoid it has 5/8 OD. Should I continue that size to the horn or is that even possible? Also is there anything that I should know regarding the truck or a kit like this.
Thanks Buck…
some people run that size and says it helps, i think avfrog is one of them. I run 1/2 and its plenty loud for me lol
1/2 inch is best. but that size will work
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Thanks for the info. What about a pop off valve? I have one that came on the tank. I could use the port for an air hose to fill tires and other things, do I need to keep it?
5/8" OD is good. The bare minimum is 1/2" OD for a K5, but people upgrade to 1/2" ID. I and a couple others have 5/8" ID. My 8 gallons go pretty quick.
Please keep the pop off valve, if what you’re referring to is the safety valve. If your compressor ever decides NOT to shut down, the safety valve is there “just in case” you need it.
There should be plenty of open ports on the tank you can use for that, or just upgrade your tank.
Kris
If your tank does not have enuff ports, use a Tee piece for the pressure release safety valve & then a port for the plug in airline.
I had an 8.5G tank and I had a relay failure, resulting in one of my compressors continually pumping through the night, luckily until the battery went flat. I did not have a pressure valve fitted, and the tank had pressurized to 380psi according to the digital gauge.:eek:
Thanks Stinkypete that’s a good idea. I will look at a different configuration with the tee in play. I wanted to mount a quick connect on the outside of my truck box for the air hose and route and mount the tank bleeder valve to the outside of the box. Any thoughts on that?
Put your gauge and safety valve on a tee fitting on the top of the tank. This way no water gets into either and there is no risk in damaging two of the more important pieces. Then you can use another tee fitting for your horn valve and the air chuck for an external air hose connection. I’ve got something similar but it’s just not hooked up, and I’m looking to upgrade to a bigger tank anyway.
Kris
How many ports are your tank mate?
I’m glad you asked about the ports. I was going to ask you about the pressure switches. The tank has 4 ports on the front, 2 on each end 1 top and 1 bottom. A lot but here is the snag, the bottom is my drain, the top has a PSI gauge, but I can’t shut the lid to my truck box due to clearance. I have a PSI gauge on my pillar cluster in the cab that I want to use for my bags and tank. I have to eliminate the top port so I have 6 to play with. Now, the tank came with 2 Viair pressure switches mod# 90111 (these flippin things are huge they stick out 6.5’’ from the tank). I was thinking about eliminating one of them and running both compressors off of on switch. What do you think about that idea? That would free up 1 port and I think I would accomplish what I want to do with 1 tee.
The built in relay in that pressure switch is rated for 40 amps - so 2 compressors would be too much for 1 unit. You could run a compressor and switch a second relay with one of those pressure switches. Or hornblasters makes a dual 40amp pressure switch / relay.
You might just have to get creative with 90 degree fittings, tees, or even a 4-way cross.
Wouldn’t the safety valve fit in the top port? It’s a lot shorter than the gauge.
Totally agree!
You’ve got options, but it requires a bit of “outside the box” thinking.
You could try remote mounting the pressure switch relay (run an air line to it) or also try using a separate pressure switch and relay. The pressure switch by itself is only 1.5 inches or so tall (about 50mm for our overseas folks) which solves the space issue you’re having. Then would run to a remote relay mounted near the tank, like the 80A one from Air Zenith. If you’re running two compressors, you could use a tee fitting from one of the ports on the end of the tank for this and just run them to two relays.
Kris
Thanks guys, good ideas.
As far as the top port I only have about a inch of clearance, I hoping that I can install a fitting there to run my PSI gauge in my cab from that port. My safety valve is almost as tall as the gauge, I haven’t seen one like it before. Will running both compressors into one port reduce my fill time much? It sounds like if I can get a little creative I can pull this off and have it look nice also.
Thanks again for all your help
Buck…
Also I have enough clearance with the two pressure switches to mount them on two of the four ports on the front of the tank (1/4 in to spare wow!).
This has been discussed and somewhat debated. It has been said that it could potentially or technically reduce the flow. But nobody has come back with any real results. You have 2 compressors that take several minutes to fill the tank - and you have a horn that can drain it in maybe 10 seconds…from the same size port.
My personal opinion is that if you have to put 2 compressors on a tee - do it & don’t worry about it.
Thanks you guys have been a big help. Now it’s time to get to work. My K5 is due in tomorrow. I’m sure something will come up and I’ll be bugging you guys again. I’ll post some pics when I’m done.
Thanks again…
I have a modified K5 with a 5/8ID line… loud
What’s up avfrog. I think it was bryan that told me about you when I asked about line size. I’m having custom lines built tomorrow and still wasn’t sure what I was going to do. Have you had 1/2’’ ID before if so could you hear a difference? I have the same valve as you but I have the K5LA, 8gal, dual 480c so I think you have been the closest to what I have so far. I looked at your youtube vid and now I’m chomping at the bit. I hope mine will sound as good as yours.